A WEEK GOES BY, AND ASTRID FINDS HERSELF CONSUMED BY THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF RULING HER KINGDOM. Though she often found herself distracted, her mind travelled back to Freyja's ball. To Loki. To how charming he was with her. To the way, he held her close as they danced. To how he tenderly held her hand as they walked through the ballroom. To how he led her to the balcony. To how he nearly kissed her.

Pushing her thoughts to the back of her head, Astrid tried to focus. She tirelessly tends to the needs of her people, addressing civilian issues, organising events, and preparing her soldiers for the looming threat of war. Finally getting some time to rest from the rush of her kingdom, Astrid sat upon her throne dressed in a simple, long-sleeved golden gown, hand embroidered by her own hand with white threads and beads that hung onto the silky fabric.

Just as she began to fully relax into her throne with closed eyes, a flash appeared at the foot of the room. Niko appeared, waving at his new friend.

"Hello, Niko!" Astrid gleamed, standing up and walking towards him, as he was doing the same. She knelt down, so she could be at eye level with the young boy. "How can I help you?"

"The King has requested your presence once again, Astrid!" Niko gleamed with a beaming smile, excitedly to see the blonde woman again.

Astrid smiles, informing Jinx and Janus of the situation. Due to the threat of war that waved over her head, the twins began to escort her to other realms more and more. Their queens did not refuse the company of their loyal companions. The four immortals travelled through the Bifrost, expecting to only see Heimdall, however, they were greeted by Loki as well.

He smiled towards Astrid, though his smile flattered slightly when he saw her guards. "Boy, did you not tell Her Majesty the specifics?" Loki addressed Niko.

Astrid furrowed her brow. "There's no need to take your frustrations out on Niko," Astrid tutted, ushering Niko away from the Observatory, slipping him a few coins in order to buy himself a snack on his way back to the palace. "I didn't question your intentions when he arrived so he didn't have a chance to tell us 'the specifics'," she emphasised with air quotes. "Which are...?" Astrid questioned, encouraging Loki to tell the details himself.

Loki nodded, stepping toward Astrid on the pedestal at the entryway of the Bifrost. "I wished for us to go to Jotunheim." At hearing the realm, the twins tensed and squinted at the raven-haired king. "I hoped for us to reinforce a peace treaty between our realms, and I think your companions might hinder our delicate negotiations in Jotunheim. They are more than welcome to remain in Asgard until we return, or rather go back to Menvǫllr," Loki proposed.

Jinx crossed her muscular arms over her chest plate. "We swore an oath to protect Lady Astrid. We will not leave her side."

Janus noosed in turn. "Especially in Jotunheim. What if they decline your peace treaty? What then?"

Loki nodded, about to counter but Astrid beat him to it. "Very well," she responds to Loki, studying his face. "You make a sound point. Having armed guards at the ready may taint the treaty. Plus, I can hold my own weight, if things take a turn for the worst," she eloquently put. "I trust you both to enjoy your day off," she smiled at the Hod twins.

The twins did not budge, reluctantly letting their queen go to Jotunheim without them. However, after a pointed look from her piercing eyes, they nodded stepping away from the pedestal and towards the entrance. They bid their farewell to Astrid, their eyes conveying a silent reassurance as they watched her disappear through the Bifrost with Loki as her only company.

"Do you think she'll be alright?" Janus asked his sister.

Jinx nodded. "As she said, she can hold her own weight."

· 　⠀⠀✧. *　　 * ⋆ 　 .
· 　　 ⋆ 　　　 ˚ ˚

IN JOTUNHEIM, THE TWO GODS LANDED WHERE THEY LANDED ON THEIR FIRST VISIT. The grounds remained icy and rocky, uneven under their feet. The desolate and icy landscape stretched before them, a stark reminder of the impending war that could occur if the negotiations went in their favour.

Astrid and Loki walked side by side, a slight tension heavy on their shoulders as they made their way towards Laufey's throne. Astrid was not sure how this will go. Surely, the Giants would want something to even consider the treaty, and she wasn't sure what she and Loki would be willing to sacrifice.

"I'd like to apologise," Loki started. "If I caused any discomfort to you at the ball. I realised I might have overstepped," he finished.

Astrid smiled with a giggle tumbling from her lips. "Don't be silly, you didn't overstep nor make me uncomfortable. Rather I'm upset at my brothers for interrupting," she mumbled the last sentence, more to herself.

Loki heard though, a teasing smile spreading over his face. "Well, I'm glad we are on the same page." Astrid flushed, embarrassingly. "I was worried you despised me. I had not heard from you in a week," Loki continued.

Astrid sighed. It's true. She had been unconsciously avoiding Asgard and Loki, in turn. She was just simply too busy. "I apologise for that, my people are arranging a parade. It's very sweet, I've been helping them organise it. You would believe the amount of rainbow glitter and confetti that had been stuck to me!" She laughed. "Oh, plus the standard training troops, but they're very on top of everything."

Loki chuckled. "You'll have to let me know when the parade is, I'd love to join you," he smiled.

"Of course, anyone is welcome, Loki."

Continuing their small talk, Astrid nearly forgot about their current situation. Only when they stepped foot in Laufey's throne room did she remember. Darkness shrouds the ruined temple, save for the shafts of light which knife their way in through the damaged ceiling. Frost Giant guards surrounded the gods on all sides. Laufey emerged from the shadows and approached the couple, towering over them menacingly.

"Tell me why I shouldn't kill you," Laufey's voice boomed in the air.

"We've come alone and unarmed," Loki countered. "We intend no battle."

Laufey scowled. "To what end?"

"To make you another proposition," Loki spoke clearly.

Astrid's brows furrowed, confused at Loki's words. When did he visit Jotunheim alone?

Laufey's face shifted to one of realisation. "So you're the one who let us into Asgard."

"You're welcome," Loki smirked.

Astrid's head was shifting going between the two Frost Giants. "What?" She whispered, believing she heard them wrong. Astrid began to tense, she was surrounded by armed Giants, without her own, and her breaking trust in Loki in her hands.

"My men are dead, and I have no Casket. You are a deceiver," Laufey snapped, grabbing Loki around the throat. The guards flung a spear over Astrid's head, pinning it against her neck and against his torso. She gasped, her hands clutching the spear in shock, trying to pry it away from her airways.

Her teary eyes travelled to Loki, he remained calm with Laufey's hand around his neck. "You have no idea what I am." The blue skin he donned back in the battle and in the Vault spread once more across his face and body. He grins as Laufey and his men stare, dumbfounded. "Hello, Father."

Laufey realised what Loki was as he let go of his throat. Loki's skin turned back to its pale peach tone. "Ah, the bastard son. I thought Odin had killed you. That's what I would have done. He as weak as you are."

Loki chuckled. "No longer weak," he stated. "I now rule Asgard, until Odin awakened. I have brought the Queen of Menvǫllr to you, defenceless. Perhaps, you should not have so carelessly abandoned me."

"Or perhaps it was the wisest choice I've ever made. I will hear you," Laufey spoke after a moment of pause.

"Loki!" Astrid shouted. "What are you doing?!" She gasped out as the guard that held her captive tightened her restraint on her neck.

Loki turned his gaze to her, the look in his eyes shifting to one of momentary guilt. He placed whatever guilt he was experiencing to the back of his head as he ignored her breathless remarks. "I will conceal you and a handful of your soldiers, lead you into his chambers, and let you slay him where he lies. I'll keep the throne, and you will have the Casket."

"And what of her?" Laufey questioned, regarding Astrid.

"Do what must be done," Loki gravely spoke. "She's your toy now." Astrid's eyes teared up. A mixture of emotions slipped from her eyes. Sadness, confusion, anger, betrayal.

"Coward," she spat out before the guard tightened the handle over her throat.

Laufey snickered. "Interesting proposition, Laufeyson," the Frost Giant spoke. "Why would you sacrifice someone dear to you?"

"When all is done, we will have a permanent peace between our two worlds, accomplishing what Odin and Thor never could. Sacrificing someone was insignificant is easy."

Astrid scoffed. "Insignificant?!" She rasped out. "You'll regret saying that."

Ignoring the blonde goddess, the two Frost Giants continued. "This is a great day for Jotunheim. Asgard is finally ours."

"No. Asgard is mine. The rest of the Nine Realms will be yours if you do as you're told. Menvǫllr can be your first," Loki proposed.

Nodding, Laufey spoke. "I accept."

Loki turned to leave, and a slight trace of a smile crossed his face. "Loki," Astrid breathed out, catching his attention before he left her restricted eyesight. "Did I mean nothing to you? I thought we were friends..."

The deceitful prince looked at her with a smug expression. "There is no such thing to me."

A tear slid from her eye in pain as the Giant behind her laid his hand on her bare shoulder, scorching her pale skin.  "You're a heartless trickster," she spat, regarding Loki.

He chuckled. "And you fell for one of my tricks, Astrid," he began walking away as Laufey approached the queen.

The blonde choked as Laufey grabbed her necklace, ripping the metal from her throat resulting in it snapping at the clasp. "Astrid is reserved for friends."

The full extent of her once-controlled magic began to surge through her body, her body sent into a series of spasms as the necklace that once controlled her abilities was torn from her grasp. Bounds of white, pure energy pulsed painfully through Astrid's body, sending her brain into overdrive. as Loki left her in the clutches of Laufey. To die.

The Guard dropped his spare on Laufey's command, resulting in Astrid falling to the ground, her body continued to jolt. "Leave her," Laufey ordered, turning his back on her crumbling figure. "She's nothing without this." He toyed with the white gem in his hand, the luminous glow illuminating his rigid features in the dark atmosphere.

Her cramped hands clutched at her chest and her head as her heart thumped rapidly and her brain rattled in her skull.

Astrid managed to tilt her head backwards, the crown of her skull hitting against the rocky ground as she watched Loki retreat back to the Bifrost landing spot. "You're a coward!" She screeched, her voice cracking and stuttering as her powers grew more uncontrollable. "A failure! A stain on the throne of Asgard!" She continued. "You're going to fail, Laufeyson!"

Loki did not falter.